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WAVE ACTION AND BOTTOM SHEAR STRESSES IN LAKE ERIE
Citation:
Kang, S., Y. Sheng, AND W. Lick. WAVE ACTION AND BOTTOM SHEAR STRESSES IN LAKE ERIE. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C., EPA/600/J-82/355.
Description:
For Lake Erie, the amplitudes and periods of wind-driven, surface gravity waves were calculated by means of the SMB hindcasting method. Bottom orbital velocities and bottom shear stresses were then calculated using linear wave theory and Kajiura's (1968) turbulent oscillating boundary layer analysis. These calculations were made for south-west and north wind directions and a steady wind speed of 40 km/hr. Calculated bottom shear stresses are related to the textural properties of surficial Lake Erie sediments as determined by Thomas et al. (1976). The bottom shear stresses, especially under prevailing southwest wind conditions, control the textural characteristics of surface sediments in Lake Erie. In particular, wave-induced bottom shear stresses are probably the most important energy source for sediment entrainment. (Copyright (c) Internat. Assoc. Great Lakes Res., 1982.)